Minority calls for review of government’s 24-Hour Market programme

The Minority in Parliament has urged the government to conduct a thorough review of the 24-Hour Market programme, aiming to align its implementation with the real needs and demands of communities nationwide. In a press conference on September 14, Member of Parliament for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye, emphasized that the programme should be redesigned to focus on areas with a real need for new market infrastructure, while also rehabilitating existing markets and completing ongoing projects.

He stressed that the government should move away from a uniform approach to the programme, taking into account the unique circumstances and development priorities of each district. Asenso-Boakye highlighted the importance of engaging in deeper consultations with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and other relevant stakeholders before making decisions on new market constructions.

He also stressed the significance of existing district development plans in determining the location of 24-Hour Market projects. The Minority called for an immediate, comprehensive, and nonpartisan review of the programme's design to ensure it is community-driven and demand-based, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The Member of Parliament urged the government to prioritize the completion and rehabilitation of existing market infrastructure, ensuring that investments under the 24-Hour Market programme deliver tangible benefits to communities.